admin
Dr Masimba Mavaza
Real estate companies have warned Zimbabweans considering or working abroad to be cautious of relatives and companies before entrusting them with funds for development projects, particularly housing.
According to them, the majority have been conned by relatives, forcing some to commit suicide upon their return.
Mathew Marongwe left Zimbabwe in 2017 for the UK. He had dreams of making money and becoming rich. He was going to build a big house and was going to retire in that house. He was so excited when he left Zimbabwe for the UK. Unbeknown to him, his brother was going to be the ultimate beneficiary of his sweat and toil.
Mathew was sending money home, his target was to finish the building in six months and then retrace his journey back home.
After working for a year doing three jobs sleeping few hours a day Marongwe believed that his house was now finished. After every stage he would receive photos of his house and each time he was satisfied.
It never crossed in his mind that his brother may cheat him. He was so comfortable with his brother.
Marongw ethen had to go and see his project. He took some off days and booked a ticket home. It was going to be more exciting if he was to get home unannounced. It will be a sweet surprise.
Marongwearrived in Zimbabwe with great anticipation. He booked himself in a hotel. The following morning, he drove straight to his new house. He was going to put his hands in the pocket as he inspects the new house. He directed the taxi driver as he enjoyed the sight of big houses along Borrowdale roads. He imagined his imposing mansion towering over the dwarfed houses he was imagining.
The taxi driver stopped and said to him “we are now here baba”. Mathew jumped out of the car the house he had been shown on all those photos was now complete and beautiful.
Marongwe did not wait for anyone to open the gate. He opened it himself. He was met by a man who was doing the garden. The man rushed to the gate and asked Mathew if he can be helped.
No, said Marongwe. I want to get in the house. ” the man told Marongwe that he will not allow him in the house without the authority of the owners of the house. “I am the owner” Marongwe said. The man was now getting irritated. He sternly warned Marongwe to stay away from drugs. He told him the house belonged to a Mr Matondo who was at work.
Marongwe took out a paper with his stand number. But sir said the man the address you have showed me is that one” as he pointed at an empty space which had overgrown grass.”
Marongwe could not believe his ears. All along he was being shown photos of the neighbours’ house. Marongwe could not speak. His mouth felt numb and heavy. His own brother had cheated him. He never built the house.
Marongwe called his brother telling him that he was standing at an empty space which was his house?
His brother switched off the phone. It dawned on him that his brother had not built the house. Marongwe could not breath. He started to sweat buckets.
As hundreds of young people continue to seek greener pastures in Western countries, some have been duped by relatives whom they entrust with their money to invest on their behalf.
Unfortunately, when they return, some are disappointed to discover that their relatives and real estate companies have used their money to enrich themselves with no visible investments.
Some have committed suicide, while others have developed mental illnesses.
Frank Mpala, a Luton resident, wonders how relatives can cheat their own.
“It bothers me when relatives cheat their own and steal their money under the guise of investments,” he said.
However, real estate expert advises those working abroad to think twice before trusting anyone with their hard-earned money.
“Before giving any one your money, be it relatives, always make research and ask from different people before falling victim”, he said.
He stated that should conduct research and deal with registered real estate players rather than briefcase companies, urging the government to tighten regulations.
After losing her savings to relatives two years ago after working in London for nearly six years, Tafadzwa Bako chose to establish her own company, Build Kumusha in order to advocate for better savings for Zimbabweans working abroad. A social media spat between Mathew and his relatives has elicited a huge debate, exposing the agony Zimbabwe in the diaspora go through in the hands of their relatives back home.
Zimbabweans slam relatives based in the UK accusing them of being ‘stingy’ despite them being in the “land of opportunities (UK)These diaspora people will need to be counselled because many have been taken for rides by relatives back here. Many who jet back home are shocked to learn that the pounds they send back home are misused. They learn their relatives have been ‘conning’ them.
Innocent based in Germany, said that although he has not been a victim, he knows a couple of friends who have been treated to a nasty situation of being conned by their very family members.
“Most Zimbabweans living abroad no longer trust their relatives back home, of course, many being cases of once bitten, twice shy, adding that it is no wonder that many diasporas are now turning to invest in deals that seem to give them “direct services”.
Staying with nothing is better than using their untrustworthy relatives to invest in real estate back home.
Arnold Mutara, a Zimbabwean working and living in the UK, says that life in UK is not a walk in the park. Finding a good job, advancing education and unfavourable weather are some of the challenges they tussle with.
“It was tough for me, but eventually I managed to make enough bucks for myself and within a short period of time, I started remitting some money to a relative back in home for my “development” plans.
“I sent enough money for the purchase of a piece of land in town and within no time, construction work for rental apartments started, or so I thought,” narrates Abide Tembo
He was happy to receive regular updates and images of his investment via WhatsApp, all was going well for him, so he thought.
“I never imagined the relative could be taking me for a ride. I gave him my all and financed the construction for six months when I started raising some questions and he could not answer them. Shock on me when I landed back in Zimbabwe and there was nothing on the ground, not even the piece of land!”
It turned out the WhatsApp photos of a construction project he was getting belonged to someone else. Many people in the UK have similar script to tell.
Having made it from a humble background, he took upon himself to cater for his siblings and a number of them in his community, but he discovered a shocker.
“Most of the children I am sponsoring are doing well in school, particularly my uncle’s son at a boarding school, but some relatives have taken my generosity for weakness,”
“I discovered I was paying fees for a long married girl and none of my relatives who knew it cared to inform me. I felt bad and resentful about helping relatives again, but for the few genuine cases, I have decided not to stop my help. However, I am wiser now, demand accountability and always do background checks and follow-ups.”
Charles, another Diasporan, laments how relatives back home think that money is easily earned in abroad.
“This is the reason some misinformed relatives will not hesitate to want to use your hard-earned money to finance their reckless lifestyles,” he quips, adding that for some, they have to do more than three jobs to make enough cash.
It will be like this as long as we live.
Online Reporter